Keith Olbermann Fired From MSNBC; Friends Of His Weigh In

Written by Michael Lambarde on Jan. 22, 2011

After eight years of working on the cable news channel MSNBC, Keith Olbermann and the network have to come a “mutual decision” to end their terms together. He first announced his departure from the channel at then end of the broadcast of his show, “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”, last night and thanked the audiences for sticking with him the past eight years.

Before leaving the show, Keith Olbermann thanked his crew and the rest of the co-workers. He also thanked the late Tim Russert, who was the “Meet The Prince” host of NBC, until 2008, the year before he passed away. Keith Olbermann said that Tim Russert has been his greatest protector and “most indefatigable cheerleader”. Even the network has thanked the legendary anchor for his great contribution to the channel and the integral role he played for the last eight years. They wished him all the good luck for his future before bidding him adieu. However, many sources say that getting departed from the channel was not completely his own decision. He said that many people were surprised to hear that this would be his last edition of “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”, just as much as he was. Therefore he made many such comments in his farewell speech, that showed his discontent and sense of betrayal by the channel, although he tried to keep his calm and composure.

Reportedly, the channel started having cold terms with Keith Olbermann, ever since he made a $2,400 donation to three Democratic politicians — Jack Conway, Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords — during their congressional campaign in November 2011. According to the policy of the channel, no employee can make any political favor. Therefore, two months back, Keith Olbermann was briefly suspended by the channel. Keith Olbermann said that channel suspended him without even giving him a chance for explanation. However, this time, neither MSNBC nor Keith Olbermann revealed the reason for his resignation.

Friends such as Luke Russert and Shannyn Moore immediately tweeted goodbyes and good lucks to Olbermann. Olbermann’s colleague, Rachel Maddow, also openly talked about Olbermann leaving the network on Friday night’s Real Time w/Bill Maher on HBO (click here to view the clip).